Arsenal academy winger inspired by Thierry Henry spotted in first-team training ahead of Ipswich clash

Arsenal will look to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to six points when they host Ipswich Town on Friday night.

The Gunners are in fine form, having beaten Crystal Palace twice last week – a 3-2 win in the Carabao Cup and a 5-1 thrashing in the Premier League.

Arsenal will be taking on an Ipswich outfit that’s struggling to adjust to life in the top flight, having won just two of their 17 league fixtures so far.

Mikel Arteta has been putting his players through their paces ahead of the game and several youth stars were spotted in the latest training session.

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji spotted in Arsenal training ahead of Ipswich clash

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji was one of the Arsenal academy players who took in the Boxing Day training session, being pictured holding off Kieran Tierney whilst in possession of the ball.

Fellow wingers Ismeal Kabia and Seb Ferdinand were also involved in the session in wake of injuries to Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling.

Dan Casey, Andre Harriman-Annous, Jack Robinson, Zane Monlouis and Jack Henry-Francis also trained with the seniors.

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Who is Arsenal winger Nathan Butler-Oyedeji?

Butler-Oyedeji is a 21-year-old winger who is currently plying his trade with Arsenal’s Under-21s.

He joined the Hale End setup in 2011, signed scholarship terms at Arsenal in 2019, and penned his first professional contract in 2021.

Butler-Oyedeji has been in fine form this season, registering seven goals and six assists in nine Premier League 2 outings, plus a goal in the EFL Trophy.

His bright start to the season saw him win the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for August.

Butler-Oyedeji has also made four Champions League matchday squads this term and was also on the bench for the Premier League win over Southampton in October.

He spent time on loan at Accrington Stanley in the first half of 2023 before taking in a loan stint at Cheltenham Town last season.

Butler-Oyedeji previously revealed to the Arsenal media team how he was encouraged to watch footage of prime Thierry Henry when he was young.

“My dad always encouraged me to watch clips of Thierry Henry to understand the art of playing in attack,” he said on Young Gun.

“But I also watched the likes of Ronaldinho too, just mesmerized by their ability.

“I tuned in to all the football shows like Premier League Years, Match of the Day… I was football mad!”